10 VIDEO GAMES THAT NEED ‘GREAT’ MOVIES

Can you believe there was a time when superhero movies were the laughing stock of Hollywood? Yeah me neither, but taking it’s place as the humorous genre has been that of the video game genre. Before I continue, I want you all to know that there have been some video game films people liked, but at the end of the day, none of them stand out for their quality.

With the large variety of video games out there that hold weight as some of the most polarizing forms of entertainment, they usually come with great stories and characters, some of which can be translated into great films if in the right hands. We’ve seen in the past that they have tried and failed miserably whether it was Jake Gyllenhaal as The Prince of Persia or whatever you want to call that God-awful Super Mario movie.

I am picking games that many of us are familiar with. I’m sure some of you guys will think of games I’ve never heard of that would be incredible movie adaptations so let me know in the comments if you think of some that aren’t on your list.

Another disclaimer would be that I am not what you would call a “gamer”, but I’m not stupid either. I know the good ones and the bad ones and the ones that have movie potential and I think gamers do too. So without any more talking here is my list of video games that need to become ‘great’ movies or else!

Halo: The legends and myths behind this once great movie idea are legendary and for good reason. There was a time when names like Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, and District 9 director Neil Blomkamp were the names tagged for directing the much-loved Microsoft property, but fell into the cracks with issues like budget and scheduling and Microsoft not wanting to give up the property to a studio.

What Halo would bring is pure sci-fi action with a story deep enough to sink your mind into. Not only would it be one of the most visually striking science-fiction/alien films, but it would boast plenty of substance along the way and could do well without having to pay a bunch of huge stars. We can only hope one day this becomes a reality like some of these superhero films which us comic-book readers were shocked we’d ever see.

Zelda: Who doesn’t know who or what Zelda is? My idea for this film is simple, just think of Lord of the Rings meets The Neverending Story…yeah it’s weird, but tell me that’s not awesome! What makes Zelda so great is its rich mythology and characters. Fantasy films bar has been set by Oscar-winning films like LOTR (Lord of the Rings), but if you consider how deep and beautifully dark this film could be, whether it’s that of the villain Ganondorf or the freaky-deeky moon with the face!

The only issue with this idea is that Link, the games main character doesn’t say anything. Whether it would be a good idea to make him speak or not is up for debate, but one counter argument to support a silent character would to do the Wall-E approach. Whether that works for live-action nowadays is tough idea to wrap around, but it can be done. Otherwise, yeah sign me up, not to mention it could span for as long as you’d want. You hear that studios? Cha-ching!

God of War: Last time I heard, they were already going through talks to create a film adaptation for this which doesn’t mean much to me, personally. Film studios are always at least discussing films like this, but this is one of those adaptations that would really have to be great simply because it is so violent and visceral, that it would have to be in the hands of someone who can carefully splice violence, mythology, and character arcs all while giving us something that is pleasantly over the top. If I would want a comparison, I’d want it to be something relatively close to how 300 or Immortals was shot, but with a grander scale.

Bioshock: Horror is one of those realms in film that if done right, it can leave an imprint on all of us just from what we heard about it. Bioshock is one the greatest video game concepts I’ve personally ever seen and as a video game was done with such quality that it felt like I was in a movie theater anyway. Now, it’s based the 1960’s with an underwater world aptly named Rapture and has the protagonist journey through a former utopia as a plasmatic being grants people supernatural powers.

With that in mind, imagine the levels of suspense the audience would feel once they saw all the enemies the protagonist would face? Chilling stuff if you ask me.

Metroid/Samus: I’m shocked people do not mention this game more. This would be a great film not only because it boasts ideas for incredible sci-fi, but hell, it would bring a much-needed bad ass female lead to the screen. Metroid is one those games that never fully got the credit it deserved in my honest opinion simply because the evolution of video games, but there is one game in particular that would serve as the platform for which this movie could be made and that is Metroid Prime. It’d be Emily Blunt in Live.Die.Repeat. type good if this became a movie. If that’s not a good example, just know that Metroid pays tons of homage to the Alien movie franchise.

Red Dead Redemption: This seems too easy. A western style video game with dark humor? Yeah, do I have to say more? I wouldn’t be surprised if there was already a western that reflects this concept already.

Another Prince of Persia (Sands of Time): Of course the one video game I played all the way through and thoroughly enjoyed in my lifetime became a film and I was excited, but I was also excited for The Last Airbender film adaptation… I don’t think they will try a crack it this property anytime soon, but we’re also in a world where Hollywood is making a Gem and the Holograms movie along with rebooting a The Raid which isn’t even five years old yet so the realm of possibility is all but nonexistent.

Crazy idea, maybe we can make this film without the fluffiness of Disney and cast some properly ethnic actors and actresses for the roles to bring some more authenticity?! I don’t know maybe that’s just me.

Mass Effect: Alien invasions are some of the coolest things to see on-screen and break open our imaginations to mind-bending action and a chance to see some of the best CGI in films. It would be epic in all ways and equally as entertaining if given a proper run-time. Mass Effect 2 and 3 in particular boast great ideas and concepts that could translate well onto the big screen with humorous tone to some of the action sequences. If you don’t believe me take a look:

Assassin’s Creed: It appears that this film has fallen under the curse of making a video game adaptation. Last time I checked Michael Fassbender was supposed to be producing and starring in the film, but nothing has been heard since. This is one of the most popular games to show up on lists like this because it falls under a realistic umbrella (to some degree) and has the potential of a great period piece with great action and stunt work.

Castlevania: I’m not sure there’s a way to make vampires sound cool anymore and it’s a real shame too, but if anything, look at this game trailer and tell me you aren’t intrigued. Of course it doesn’t help Dracula Untold looks like it could have been a huge rip off of this, but nonetheless take a look: